Comments are evidence of wrong attitude in US

July 24, 2013 at 2:24 a.m.

Editor, the Advocate:

It is very disturbing that a caller, Joy, on July 17, 2013, suggested on this opinion page that Mr. Trayvon Martin was a thug and deserved his demise. With such logic, I assume Joy might blame a rape on a party girl. The problem is a "might make right" mentality, which seems to be prevalent on this opinion page. If the victim was a thug, then what does that make Mr. George Zimmerman, the alleged murderer? With a record of domestic violence and possible drug use, what does that make him? I guess some refuse to answer that in an honest way. If Mr. Zimmerman was found not guilty, then why did 71-year-old Trevor Dooley, of Tampa Bay, Fla., and Marissa Alexander, of Jacksonville, Fla., receive prison time?

It is easy to blame Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton for racial division, and yes, they do deserve some blame, but what about those popular conservative radio talk show hosts? Sean Hannity had ties with New Jersey Neo Nazi leader Hal Turner, but no one wants to talk about that. Michael Berry makes a living with radio minstrel "Shirley Q. Liquor," but no one is addressing that. Rush Limbaugh with his "Barack the Magic Negro" parodies, which backfired and help made Mr. Obama, President of the United States. However, no one dares to mention that. Where were those who slammed the rapper Common for a harsh song about George W. Bush's invasion of Iraq when Ted Nugent suggested the three Democratic presidential candidates perform a disgusting act on his rifle?

The real thugs, the real criminals I see are the ones many of you keep electing to Austin to ensure neo-feudalistic goals with more prisons and fewer schools while they double dip in our public coffers to help pay their corporate cronies and for double payment. Sorry to burst your little bubbles folks; this isn't about liberalism vs. conservatism or maybe race; it is about a mentality that breeds ignorance, misunderstanding, naivete and, yes, overwhelming hypocrisy.